Urgent Calls for Jimmy Lai's Release
In a powerful display of solidarity, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, has joined forces with Sebastien Lai, the son of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, to demand his immediate release. Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, has been held in solitary confinement for over five years, enduring harsh conditions under charges widely criticized as politically motivated. According to Sebastien Lai, his father's health is deteriorating, adding urgency to the calls for his freedom after more than 1,700 days behind bars.
Rep. Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently spoke about Lai's plight during an interview on EWTN News In Depth with host Catherine Hadro. He emphasized the inhumane treatment Lai faces, including prolonged solitary confinement, and reiterated his commitment to bringing international attention to this grave injustice. Smith also expressed appreciation for President Donald Trump's renewed efforts to secure Lai's release, highlighting the importance of high-level intervention in this case.
Background of Jimmy Lai's Imprisonment
Jimmy Lai rose to prominence as a fierce critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a staunch advocate for democracy in Hong Kong. As the founder of Apple Daily, launched in 1995 amid anxieties over Hong Kong's handover to China, Lai created a platform that openly challenged Beijing's authority. His outspoken support for pro-democracy protests in 2019, coupled with meetings with high-ranking U.S. officials like then-Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, drew the ire of Hong Kong authorities acting under Beijing's influence.
Lai's legal troubles began in earnest on August 10, 2020, when he was arrested under Hong Kong's controversial national security law on charges of colluding with foreign forces. Subsequent accusations of fraud led to the revocation of his bail, and by April 2021, he was detained indefinitely. The closure of Apple Daily in 2021, following an asset freeze, marked a significant blow to press freedom in Hong Kong, with many viewing Lai's imprisonment as a direct attack on dissent.
International Outcry and Ongoing Trial
The international community has increasingly voiced concern over Lai's prolonged detention and the conditions he endures. Organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch have called for all charges against him to be dropped, citing the trial as a clear attempt to silence dissent. The most recent delay in Lai's national security trial, postponed on August 15 due to health concerns, has only intensified fears for his well-being as closing arguments concluded in late August.
During the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the International Federation of Journalists raised alarms over Lai's arbitrary detention, echoing the sentiments of many who see his case as emblematic of broader crackdowns on free speech in Hong Kong. With a potential life sentence looming if convicted, the global spotlight remains on Lai's fate, as advocates like Rep. Smith and Sebastien Lai continue to fight for justice and his unconditional release.